AL Central Winner Odds & Predictions 2025: Tigers Still in a Tier of Their Own

• The Detroit Tigers currently have a 6.5 game lead for first in the AL Central division standings

• The Cleveland Guardians are 7-3 in their last 10 games and one game back from a wildcard spot

• Detroit’s defense ranks above league average in Total Pitching ERA and in Defensive Efficiency

While most divisions have a clear-cut favorite, the AL Central is wide open this season as four teams are capable of competing for the division title. The division's parity will make it one of the more exciting races to watch this year, as well as provide us with plenty of mid-season betting opportunities.

MLB AL Central Winner Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM. Sign up for BetMGM with our promo code WSNSPORTS and claim the following welcome bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*. Read our BetMGM sportsbook review for more info.

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MLB AL Central Winner Predictions

The Detroit Tigers' fall has been the Cleveland Guardians' gain as they are now just 6.5 games back from first with less than 40 games remaining. Unfortunately for Cleveland, their offense continues to hold them back from being a well rounded contender as their lineup ranks near dead last in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and in On Base Percentage. Without help from their offense, expect the Guardians to struggle to leap over the Tigers for first.

The Kansas City Royals' struggles this season can also be pointed towards their offense as their lineup ranks below league average in the same previously mentioned metrics. Even with their defense ranking near the top of the board in Total Pitching ERA and in Defensive Efficiency, their lack of offensive production brings in a high amount of variance which hurts their chances of winning. Even at their inflated odds, pass on the Royals to win the AL Central division title.

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AL Central Winner - My Pick

Detroit Tigers (-1600) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the Tigers lead for first in the AL Central has steadily declined, positive regression looms large as they are still in a tier of their own per their current metrics on both sides of the field. As of writing, the Tigers are the only team in the division who rank above league average in Contact Rate, On Base Percentage, Total Pitching ERA, and in Defensive Efficiency. Expect the Tigers to round back into form and run away with the division title.

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How to Bet on the MLB AL Central Winner

When looking to bet on a team to win their division, it’s vital to dig into their metrics on both sides of the field to see if they are capable of limiting the amount of variance in their contests to help rack up wins at a consistent rate. Those metrics include Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, On Base Percentage, Team Total ERA, and Defensive Efficiency.

It’s also important to keep an eye on the standings as a hedge opportunity may present itself if someone else is rivaling the team you bet on for first at a great price. This creates multiple profiting scenarios, allowing you to ride it out barring no one else throws their hat in the ring as a viable contender.

How to Read MLB AL Central Winner Odds

When betting on the AL Central winner market, it’s important to understand how the listed odds work. If you bet $100 on the Tigers at their early-season odds of +135 and they win the division, then you would profit $135.

If you wait to see if the Tigers get out to a strong lead and are listed with a minus sign in front of their odds (-125 for example), then you would need to wager $125 to profit $100. Reminder, always shop around before placing a wager as the listed odds can drastically vary between each sportsbook.

Where to Bet on the MLB AL Central Winner

As previously mentioned, it’s vital to have multiple sportsbooks as the odds for the same market can widely vary between each book. In regard to betting on the AL Central winner, BetMGM Sportsbook has been the top choice for the division as their odds edge out the rest. If you have not signed up yet with BetMGM, you can claim the following offer after creating an account with the WSN promo code WSNSPORTS: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

As for the official betting partner of the MLB, FanDuel Sportsbook is giving new users: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. Unlike BetMGM, no promo code is required. New users just need to complete the registration process and win their first bet of at least $5.

MLB AL Central Winner History

The Cleveland Guardians have had the upper hand over the AL Central as of late as they currently lead the division with 12 division titles. Minnesota comes in at second with nine division titles while the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are tied for third with four apiece.

Unfortunately for the AL Central, only two division winners have managed to win the World Series in the same year with the Kansas City Royals winning both titles in 2015 and the Chicago White Sox in 2005. Making it back to the finals has been a struggle for the division as no one has pulled it off since the Cleveland Indians in 2016.